Adjuster Tips: Continuous Learning = Stronger Adjusters

In claims adjusting, change is constant and those who thrive are the ones who never stop learning. Every policy, every event, and every claim presents new lessons. For adjusters, continuous education isn’t optional, it’s essential. It’s how we stay sharp, serve policyholders better, and uphold the professionalism our industry depends on. At AdStrat, we’ve built our culture around this idea: that the strongest adjusters are those who learn, adapt, and grow every single day.

Why Continuous Learning Matters

Being a great adjuster goes far beyond technical skills. It’s about judgment, empathy, and problem-solving under pressure. But these qualities are only as strong as the knowledge behind them. As policies evolve, technology advances, and there is a demand for more precision, continuing education ensures adjusters can confidently meet every challenge.

• Sharper decision-making: Updated training helps adjusters understand new policy forms, software tools, and compliance standards.

• Greater efficiency: The more you learn, the more streamlined your workflow becomes, reducing errors and improving turnaround times.

• Stronger credibility: Clients and policyholders trust professionals who clearly invest in their expertise.

• Career resilience: The best adjusters never plateau — they stay relevant, marketable, and prepared for change.

P&C Adjusters

For P&C adjusters, continuous education should focus on the evolving fundamentals of property damage assessment and policy interpretation. Developing a habit of reviewing key principles not only sharpens technical ability but also reduces rework and increases accuracy on every claim. Areas that provide the most value include:

• Understanding current construction materials, repair methods, and regional building code updates

• Reviewing carrier guidelines, policy changes, and new endorsements

• Strengthening skills in cause-of-loss analysis, depreciation calculations, and identifying potential fraud indicators

• Improving estimating accuracy by staying current with Xactimate and Cotality updates, new pricing releases, sketching improvements, and productivity tools

• Enhancing soft skills such as negotiation, documentation clarity, and communication with policyholders and contractors

The strongest P&C adjusters blend technical expertise with effective communication and consistent learning, creating a more reliable and confident claims process.

Flood Adjusters

For flood adjusters, continuous education ensures compliance, accuracy, and efficiency when working within federal program guidelines. Staying sharp requires ongoing review of NFIP updates and flood-specific field skills as well as obtaining your yearly FCN Card. High-value learning topics include:

• Staying current with updates to FEMA’s NFIP Claims Manual, WYO bulletins, and event-specific directives

• Reviewing foundational flood topics like building diagrams, elevation requirements, flood damage indicators, and foundation types

• Refreshing knowledge of SFIP coverage limitations, building versus contents distinctions, and ICC (Increased Cost of Compliance) requirements

• Practicing field skills such as proper documentation of high-water marks and detailed room-by-room inspections

• Monitoring flood zone revisions, mapping changes, and mitigation trends

• Strengthening soft skills such as empathetic communication, explaining NFIP limitations clearly, guiding overwhelmed policyholders through next steps, and maintaining calm professionalism in catastrophic environments

Flood adjusting demands both precision and compassion. Mastering these competencies ensures adjusters can deliver accurate, compliant claims while supporting policyholders through some of their most difficult moments.

How AdStrat Builds Stronger Adjusters

At AdStrat, we don’t just talk about professional growth, we build it into the way we work. We believe our people are our greatest strength, and their education is one of our most important investments. Our training initiatives are designed to strengthen both technical skills and critical thinking, ensuring every adjuster and examiner has the tools to deliver quality results with confidence.

Led by our Training Manager, David James, and Flood Education & Training Specialist Nicole Belston, our educational programs combine hands-on instruction, real-world application, and continuous improvement. We’re creating learning experiences that are practical, relevant, and immediately impactful in the field.

We know that professional growth doesn’t happen in a single classroom, it happens every day, through every interaction and opportunity. That’s why AdStrat provides a comprehensive education ecosystem for our team and partners. Through online learning modules, expert-led webinars, interactive town halls, and our annual AdStrat Claims Conference, we offer multiple pathways for adjusters to learn, connect, and lead. Our investment in expert trainers and industry specialists ensures that every session delivers actionable insights that elevate both performance and professionalism.

Join Us at the 2026 AdStrat Claims Conference

The centerpiece of our commitment to learning and collaboration is the 2026 AdStrat Claims Conference, happening April 14–16, 2026, at the IP Casino Resort Spa in Biloxi, Mississippi. This event brings together adjusters, examiners, carriers, and industry partners for three days of education, innovation, and connection. With this year’s theme, “The difference starts here,” we’ll explore how continuous learning fuels stronger teams, better outcomes, and a more resilient claims industry.

From skill-building classes and breakout sessions to live demonstrations and networking opportunities, the conference is designed to empower every attendee whether you’re just starting your adjusting career or leading a team of experts.

Learn more on our conference page: www.adminstratconference.com

Final Thought

Continuous learning isn’t a one-time event, it’s a mindset. It’s the decision to get a little better with every claim, every class, and every conversation. At AdStrat, we see education as both a responsibility and a privilege because when we learn together, we make a difference.